Resembling the previous government’s move to grant interest-free car loans and laptops to journalists, Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera‘s has also allocated Rs. 5 million for journalists loans under the ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ programme fueling suspicion whether the government is attempting to bribe the local media.
Mangala Samaraweera
The state-sponsored credit programme, initiated by Samaraweera last year, was aimed at entrepreneurs and small and media enterprises.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing a workshop on the development programme for ruling party MPs, praised Samaraweera’s efforts to grant loans to journalists.
The Prime Minister pointed out the contrast between the previous government which abducted and killed journalists and the current government which lavishly dishes out loans to them.
Wickremesinghe also blamed the media for “underreporting” the government’s development work. “They (Media) want an era of killings and disappearances. When I say this, they will attack me again,” the Prime Minister added.
However, the move indicated that the government was trying to win over the support of the media by enrolling journalists to the loan scheme.
In a similar move, the previous government gifted laptops and gave car loans to journalists from virtually every mainstream media in the country with the exception of the Sunday Times newspaper.
An investigation by Colombo Telegraph revealed that 136 mainstream journalists, including editors, and 30 provincial correspondents were awarded laptops by the previous. 11 of those provincial correspondents were from former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s electorate of Kandy while nine chosen correspondents were from former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Hambantota. The other 237 recipients were believed to be Ministerial aides and supporters who cannot be identified as journalists.
Colombo Telegraph also revealed that the Rajapaksa regime had granted 547 journalists and media workers a Rs. 1,200,000/- of interest free government loans from a state bank to purchase car or van. The interest was paid by the Treasury using tax payers’ money.
Babi Aachchi / February 3, 2019
Report on what killings and disappearances, exactly?
If there had been any, you would have arrested and charged the perpetrators. You have not. Either the Rajapakse’s are saints, or you lot are incompetent.
Logically, then, you cannot blame the media as there is nothing for them to report.
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nimal fernando / February 4, 2019
“Mangala Continues Rajapaksa’s Ugly Practice: Gives Journalists Rs 5 Million Worth Loans Under Enterprise Sri Lanka”
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We know ethics ………. Mangala knows Lankans.
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Dinuk / February 4, 2019
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Ben Hurling / February 4, 2019
Mangala S has many short-comings, but I have been looking the other way. At least, the guy has had exposure to the world and is of a modern, liberal, progressive mindset on many critical issues. GOD FORBID! He is proving to be a typical, Sri Lankan political crook. Like all others. Mangie has been selling his duty-free car permit and pocketing the difference countless times. TAX FRAUD! He also turned up at Rocket Rohitha’s wedding in a squeaky clean attire. An awful sight to see, Mangie mingling with corrupt Maha Raja’s clan. Now he wants to kick-out Mrs. Charles. An unsung hero of Sri Lanka Customs! Oh, What a disappointment Mangala S has become. Starting to stink even from a long distance!
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Native Vedda / February 4, 2019
Ben Hurling
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If you failed to put things right, you will sooner or later may have to deal with another uprising. The facts, two Southern arm struggles failed and a 26 year Northern arm struggle too failed. However if a broadly based struggle without arms , without a bullet being fired could succeed if it is launched throughout the island to restructure of the state, cleanse the country of corrupt, crooked, criminals, ….. politicians and functionaries, and to democratise the state and the country.
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Hope you won’t blame those who would have decided to evict the crooks.
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Real Revolutionist / February 3, 2019
Are journalists beggars?
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Deperatethoughts / February 3, 2019
Not only beggars, most of them are prostitutes.
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Just study by yourself, you will get the facts about them. One of my friends died just because he was not updated about reduced prices of the HEART STENTs.
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And there are also whole lot of PATIENTS that are not updated with price reductions of cancer or other drugs. Not having proper information ended up them keeping away from care adequately.
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Who should get the blame ? if not MEDIA THAT deliberately keep EVEN valuable info away from the RANK-AND FILE… they just work for MAFIA boss et al pleasing his both orifices.
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S Siva / February 3, 2019
This news tarnish the image of many genuine, honest, ethical and moral Journalists who report facts and investigative information. Only a few Journalists who are real bad apples, corrupt, racist, chauvinistic, support hatred, Apartheid and criminal minded leaders.
Thanks to Social media and technological advancement that bring news, information, facts and video clips throughout the world within minutes. Over seven decades of Sinhala Buddhist leaders failure continues and it must be ended sooner than later.
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Manioc Gunapala / February 3, 2019
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Jehan Manawadu / February 3, 2019
I am so glad Mangala’s corruption is coming out one by one
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anonymous / February 4, 2019
What’s wrong with helping a student financially if he or she wants to become a journalist. Journalism is not only reporting ‘political gossip’ or ‘washing dirty linen’ in public. Anyway, according to ‘Real Revolutionist & Desperatethoughts’ above, if journalists are beggars and prostitutes, ‘Sirasa, Derana and Hiru’ bosses’ are the owners running the ‘Brothels’. Your comments reflects your thoughts and the side you both are on.
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Douglas / February 3, 2019
Real Revolutionist: You asked: “Are journalists beggars”? : NO. The proper questioned, in my opinion should have been: Are most of these “Journalists”, in true sense “Journalists”? Then, an answer that prompts an investigation could easily reveal very many are “NOT JOURNALISTS”; but in actual fact “COOLIES”, “SLAVES” and “VULTURES”. So such quality “Journalists” must be fed with “BAITS” and “HAND OUTS” and maintained , the most interesting part of it is, from TAX PAYERS MONEY. When this “TRUTH” is known, how should the PEOPLE respond? Wait “PATIENTLY” till the opportunity arises and be “DETERMINED” to CHASE AWAY both those who gave away and received the Tax Payers money, depriving the public any accrual of benefits.
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Deperatethoughts / February 4, 2019
Douglas.
.
I agree with you more. Just imagine. One young girl, may well be a student in investigative journalism, raised a question in a media gathering where DRIED pumpkins were as ministers presided over it. There, the young girl was treated as if if she made a criminal act.
:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_JgNECA_so&lc=z224i5nrmwucyr1l0acdp43badrr0kxdovltk5tr1t1w03c010c
Can you imagine ?
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You are dead right -most of them; today’s journos are so obsequeous to their pay masters (Media owners). They are no longer journos but slaves to their media companies. The best examples you may get from SIRASA TV. Prior to 2015, one could keep some hopes on them, but they have now become the most abusive channels among the like minded ones (Hiru, Derana and Wanamohini).
.
Sirasa parots have all along been misleading the audience. Now they have taken aback not talking that much about SO CALLED BROAD DAY CB robbery. The reason may be SORIYSENA himself reiterated, that his experts in CB, to have proved him lot more BOND SCAM losses to have been claimed since 2008 to 2015.
So, the script which SIRASA has usually been following is caught by some stumbling blocks very lately on.
The very same channel, louded at the billions of losses deliberately made by RAJAPAKSHES siblings and offsprings. Latter is connected with revealing facts on those high profile losses, day by day. Ironically, Sirasa is SHUT their cesspits on the ISSUES these days.
This is becoming our million dollar quetion for the time being.
:
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Rajash / February 3, 2019
They cant provide decent wage to Tea Estate workers and cap them at Rs700
but journalist are being wooed to write juicy stories about the politicians
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Punchi Point / February 3, 2019
The problem is that the journalists in our country are not interested in the truth. The “journalists” behind Colombo Telegraph are supposedly people who are in exile in the UK. I keep wondering what they and other Sinhala journalists who claim to be in need of protection overseas ever wrote or did to be in such a need. I personally have not seen a single good article or any effective investigative journalistic work in SriLanka ever.
My opinion of Srilankan journalists is that they are easily bought, corrupt and are opportunistic. They are not interested in the truth at all. CT journalists have not shown to be any different – day in and day out there are commentators posting undocumented claims in CT, be it about history or DNA studies or other things. Some keep posting fake non-existent DNA studies repeatedly. CT just publish these comments. A search in Google will show the many hundreds of times false DNA studies, false theories about Lemuria and even claims of NASA endorsing Lemuria/Kumari Kandam etc have been posted here. If CT is interested in the truth, its a simple thing for CT to publish these comments with a note asking for documentation or not publish them at all. Publishing these undocumented comments is against good journalistic ethics and responsibilities.
I know that my comment will most probably be censored by CT, but that itself would prove what I am saying – namely, some journalists get laptops and loans from the government, while others get huge revenues from advertisements in their sites, which is based on number of views and readers. Before criticizing other journalists CT should start in your own site – publish only the truth no matter what.
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Mohamed / February 3, 2019
Rs. 5 million? This shows the living standards of journalists in this country. At this, how many will make brazen attempts to find the truth and tell, provided not everyone is a Lasantha or an Iqbal Athas?
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JD / February 3, 2019
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Asitha Rajapakse / February 4, 2019
The only loan scheme for journalists is to buy camera equipment and the amount is Rs. 300,000.00 with the interest paid by the government. Where did this Rs.5 million figure materialised from ??? Please check your facts before publishing.
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Gunaratne Bandara / February 4, 2019
You should learn how to read! THis is what i found: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/ranil-wickremesinghe-3-february-2019/
Link is provided by CT. It was PM RW’s speech. Read what he said.
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JD / February 4, 2019
So this is only for Camara men
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Deperatethoughts / February 4, 2019
Douglas.
.
I agree with you more. Just imagine. One young girl, may well be a student in investigative journalism, raised a question in a media gathering where DRIED pumpkins were as ministers presided over it. There, the young girl was treated as if if she made a criminal act.
:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_JgNECA_so&lc=z224i5nrmwucyr1l0acdp43badrr0kxdovltk5tr1t1w03c010c
Can you imagine ?
:
You are dead right -most of them; today’s journos are so obsequeous to their pay masters (Media owners). They are no longer journos but slaves to their media companies. The best examples you may get from SIRASA TV. Prior to 2015, one could keep some hopes on them, but they have now become the most abusive channels among the like minded ones (Hiru, Derana and Wanamohini).
.
Sirasa parots have all along been misleading the audience. Now they have taken aback not talking that much about SO CALLED BROAD DAY CB robbery. The reason may be SORIYSENA himself reiterated, that his experts in CB, to have proved him lot more BOND SCAM losses to have been claimed since 2008 to 2015.
So, the script which SIRASA has usually been following is caught by some stumbling blocks very lately on.
The very same channel, louded at the billions of losses deliberately made by RAJAPAKSHES siblings and offsprings. Latter is connected with revealing facts on those high profile losses, day by day. Ironically, Sirasa is SHUT their cesspits on the ISSUES these days.
This is becoming our million dollar quetion for the time being.
:
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nalmen / February 4, 2019
birds of a feather have become a mutual admiration society
together they will bring about the downfall of the unp
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Good Sense / February 4, 2019
It is correct to state that even among in the fourth estate in this country there are drawbacks. Mangy boy knows that there would be many takers of his offer. But as to whether they would thereafter honor the implied undertaking of reporting “positively” or at the bidding of Mangy is a Million Dollar question. It was Prabhakaran who once said that the memory of a Sinhala man lasts only for 14 days. Corruption is rampant when people are impoverished. Therefore it is possible that for the fourth estate to give an adverse comment/report for a glass of Arrack even after receiving a laptop computer. The improvement of the economy is the duty that Mangy is entrusted with and not to provide piece-meal doles amounting to a bribe.
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Amila / February 4, 2019
It is loans not free gifts so nothing seems to be wrong with it. Looks like your getting poorly written articles recently. Article related to a certain bank and mud sligging article against one of the young ministers in this gov are recent poor examples guys.
Try to look for common issue in the country and try to address them. It will be more useful to everyone.
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K A Sumanasekera / February 4, 2019
Samare should give 5 Million not as a Loan but as an outright payment for the Journo who risk their lives under Yahapalanaya.
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And make an extra 5 Million for the four Journos who were chased out by the Thugs who protect Samare’s Mentor, the Whisky Madam..
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The Thug Security guards used even low commands on those Journos like” Palayan Yakko”. on the instructions of the Madam, although the Journos had Press Passes .
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That is how Samares’ 6 * Democracy treat our young and brave TV Media personnel ,if they don’t lick Samare’s Mentor’s ass..
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Native Vedda / February 4, 2019
K A Sumanasekera KASmaalam
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Where you’ve been since the failed palace coup?
Are you planning yet another one with the view to fail again?
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“That is how Samares’ 6 * Democracy treat our young and brave TV Media personnel ,if they don’t lick Samare’s Mentor’s ass..”.
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You forgot the laptop days, motor bike loan days, ………appointment as diplomats, …..
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Why are you here in CT?
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Roger / February 4, 2019
His fellow mandala seems to be a rot he has to be thrown out
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Gune / February 4, 2019
Comments that strongly criticise Mangala are not published in CT!?
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JD / February 5, 2019
It is Paid by Mangala. I think International community knew how others treated Percy Samaraweera and how MR treated Mangala, so, ran a wedge between then. Now, here we are.
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Raj-UK / February 4, 2019
I can’t understand why those in certain categories of employment are favoured over the rest of the population. We have doctors & senior govt. officials being given vehicle permits & their salaries are tax free & now {selected) journalists are given laptops & interest free loans. Why the preferential treatment? Even a street sweeper does an important job in keeping the city clean, otherwise we would be walking knee deep in garbage. Everybody should be paid a living wage & everybody should be taxed according to their income. In developed countries, everybody who is earning, pays tax & also contribute to a ‘National Insurance’ fund which pays for health care & social services, as well as, a pension, to which everyone is entitled.
If there are no perks which give a selected few an unfair advantage & everybody (including politicians) are treated equally with nobody above the law, there will be no (or at least considerably less) corruption & cronyism which have become the acceptable norm in SL now.
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rbh / February 4, 2019
Rajapaksa regime had granted 547 journalists and media workers a Rs. 1,200,000/- of interest free government loans from a state bank to purchase car or van. /////
WHERE IS is THE PROMISED to its overseas workers, if the workers complete two years of foreign employment. President, Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power in January drawn up a package of proposed facilities and services to Sri Lankan overseas workers, including the pension scheme in recognition of their contributions to the country’s national development.
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K.Pillai / February 4, 2019
Our governance and our version of democracy have evolved into a form in which independent and investigative journalism cannot survive. Paid journalism has become the norm. Force has been used to silence journalists. The ‘media’ is now a big industry – they can make or break a politician.
Mangala has no option but to continue this “Rajapaksa’s Ugly Practice”.
Did CT reveal that Ravi K, when he was Finance Minister, offered a monthly donation?
For what? Guess.
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